Notice to Readers Nitrocellulose Paper Used in Western
Blot Test -- Fire and Potential Explosion Hazard
Nitrocellulose paper is used in a variety of laboratory
electrophoresis and gel-diffusion procedures, including the Western
blot test. Nitrocellulose paper poses a well-recognized fire
hazard
and can be ignited at most ambient temperatures likely to be
encountered in operating laboratories.
Additionally, nitrocellulose paper may be highly reactive and
can
detonate or explode when heated under the confinement conditions
present in the closed chamber of a steam autoclave. Therefore,
potentially infectious gels deposited on nitrocellulose paper
should
not be decontaminated by autoclaving. Instead, such materials
should
be decontaminated by immersing in a 10% aqueous solution of
household
laundry bleach for 30 minutes. Following removal from the bleach
solution, nitrocellulose paper can be disposed of by incineration
or
burial in a sanitary landfill.
Reported by Technical Consultation Activity, Laboratory Program
Office, CDC.
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